Chapter 241: Mage Yija’s Invitation

During this time, Mage Yisier and Mage Roman had come here together several times, staying temporarily before leaving. However, during this period, Shaoke never inquired about Mage Yisier's husband, and she explained the situation to him, making it clear that the female mage was quite content to have such a lover.

After careful selection, Shaoke finally began attempting to practice the sixth-rank spells obtained from the underground death stronghold. This time, he focused primarily on single-target attack spells. As for mental attack spells, he merely transcribed them as before without practicing them, since sixth-rank mental attack spells required him to advance to seventh-rank before he could learn them. On this occasion, he also transcribed two spells that could be embedded into the six-pointed star magic array. Although these spells had limited range, with the help of silver light, he could cast them instantly without needing to meditate.

The transcription and study of seven or eight sixth-rank spells took him over a year. On this day, just as he finished transcribing the last sixth-rank mental attack spell, the steward reminded him again that guests had arrived.

The guests were familiar: Mage Yija in his noble mage robe and Mage Fei, accompanied by Mage Roman in a golden robe. Upon seeing Shaoke, Mage Roman smiled apologetically and explained, "Xueye, they came to the Blizzard Legion looking for you. After learning their identities, I brought them here."

After hearing Mage Roman's explanation, Shaoke nodded and smiled at the two mages, then had the maidservants bring exquisite pastries, fruits, and fine wine to entertain the guests. After a brief silence, Mage Yija broke it.

"Mage Xueye, I hope you can attend a banquet hosted by our family. After this war, my family has become a mid-tier family, so we are holding a banquet," said the now more mature Mage Yija, knowing Shaoke's temperament and stating his purpose without hesitation. "Since you once helped me, I want to use this banquet to repay you." He looked at Shaoke hopefully. Mage Fei, after some hesitation, also extended an invitation to Shaoke.

"Mage Yisier and her husband will both attend this banquet," Mage Roman said softly in Shaoke's ear, not minding the presence of the other two mages. She then added quietly, "The Blizzard Legion has sent me and some other mages to this banquet. I don't have a dance partner yet."

Hearing Mage Roman's whispered explanation, Shaoke looked at her helplessly, knowing that the female mage hoped he would attend the banquet. The reason was simply to help him meet more mages of his age, which might benefit his future development. Faced with this underlying goodwill, Shaoke had no choice but to agree.

Upon receiving his agreement, Mage Yija excitedly thanked Shaoke. However, since they hadn't seen each other for nearly thirty years, the faint familiarity between them had faded even more. After briefly discussing some details of the banquet, the two mages hurriedly left. Mage Roman stayed behind. Having advanced to a fifth-tier alchemist, although her tasks were still busy, her status allowed her occasional indulgence without anyone interfering.

Gently fiddling with the permanent magical item on the female mage's chest, Shaoke's thoughts drifted elsewhere. He was snapped back to reality only when he mistakenly pinched a sensitive spot instead of the bead, causing Mage Roman to let out a soft cry. "What are you thinking about? Can you tell me?" After ending that strange meditation, the female mage gently patted her lower abdomen, hoping this time she would successfully conceive.

"Mage Yija's family didn't participate in that war at all, so why did their family develop so much? Even the Blizzard Legion has to send people to attend this banquet," Shaoke said, his hand resting over the female mage's heart, quietly feeling her somewhat rapid heartbeat. Even after all these years, Mage Roman's heart still raced whenever she was unclothed before him, and Shaoke sometimes enjoyed lying on her chest, listening.

"It probably has something to do with other legions," Mage Roman added uncertainly. "It should be related to the Blue Feather Legion. Don't forget, the Blue Feather Legion is under the direct command of the royal family. So after the war ended, it's no surprise they received some rewards."

"But I haven't heard of the Blue Feather Legion participating in this battle," Shaoke said, looking at the female mage somewhat dazedly. She kissed his cheek with some concern, knowing that Shaoke still hadn't forgotten the conflict in the small town. Although he never mentioned it, he often fell into this dazed state when hearing about certain issues recently.

"Even if they didn't fight, they maintained stability throughout the imperial capital. Maybe that's why," Mage Roman said, holding Shaoke to her chest and gently stroking his slightly damp hair. "Perhaps the Blizzard Legion should have been the one to maintain order within the empire back then." She smiled helplessly as she spoke. By then, Shaoke had already bitten a certain sensitive spot on her body and fallen asleep peacefully. "He's really like a child," the female mage murmured, adjusting her position to make Shaoke more comfortable. She rarely saw him like this; even when they parted ways years ago, he hadn't clung to her like this.

Time passed quickly. When Mage Roman, who had been away for several days, arrived again at Shaoke's estate, Shaoke—who was transcribing spells he hadn't yet planned to learn—realized it was time for Mage Yija's family banquet. With the help of Mage Roman and a few maidservants, Shaoke quickly got ready. After instructing the steward, they set off in a carriage the steward had arranged.

In fact, Mage Yija's family estate wasn't far from Shaoke's residence. After less than half a magical hour of travel, they arrived at their destination.

The estate was vast, built entirely from large stone blocks. Simple magical scripts were embedded at the tops of the walls, and tall stone pillars stood scattered throughout the courtyard. On these pillars, carved with patterns and magical scripts, burned arcane fire continuously. Precious sandalwood incense was lit by the servants and placed in most corners of the courtyard, with attendants replacing the candles at regular intervals. Despite the cold wind, the flames didn't flicker or go out, thanks to the special candles—items typically used by high-rank mages when transcribing important materials.

There weren't many guests in the courtyard; they stood there briefly for short conversations, as the banquet was held in the main hall.

The hall was spacious enough to accommodate two to three thousand people. Fine crimson carpets were embroidered with patterns, precious birds and beasts, and various flowers and plants by skilled artisans. However, the most common motifs were magical scripts without any energy infused into them. According to mage family traditions, the more types of magical scripts embroidered on the carpet, the more powerful the family was. Shaoke paid no attention to these carpets, instead focusing his gaze on a corner where Mage Francis Dun was intimately conversing with a noble mage.

He hadn't expected to encounter her here.

Mage Roman quickly noticed who Shaoke was staring at. After spotting the female mage, she gently pinched Shaoke's arm and whispered, "Do you want to go over and greet her?" She began to pull Shaoke toward Francis Dun, but he quickly stopped her.

"No, there's nothing left to say," Shaoke said, then raised his voice slightly. "Let the past be the past. If you can't reclaim what's lost, let it go." He took hold of the female mage's smooth hand. Mage Roman's skin had always been good; even with the effects of various potions, it remained as smooth and soft as when they first met years ago. Shaoke's intimate gesture startled Mage Roman, but after they found a secluded corner and sat down, she calmed down.

As time passed, more and more guests gathered in the hall. Just as Mage Roman stood up to look for Mage Yisier, a loud voice speaking ancient magic tongue rang out in the hall. Most of those present could understand this language, as many of the guests were mages. Shaoke knew that, according to tradition, when mage families held banquets, ancient languages became the primary means of communication.

After the ancient magic tongue proclamation ended, a large number of servants brought fresh pastries and fine wine. Guests began freely moving between the long tables, as mage gatherings differed somewhat from those of nobles. Since this wasn't a formal meal, mages were allowed to converse loudly and freely.

Mage Roman continued searching for Mage Yisier and other mages from the Blizzard Legion, intending to join them to avoid causing concern. Shaoke, however, stared at a crystal-polished branch-shaped lampstand before him. Seven or eight short eternal night candles burned slowly. Infused with certain spices, these candles emitted a fragrance that helped mages focus their minds—a valuable item often used when transcribing spells.

Shortly after the banquet began, Mage Roman spotted the other mages from the Blizzard Legion. There weren't many of them—just twenty to thirty people gathered together, both men and women. Mage Yisier stood among them, looking around the hall, ignoring the young mage beside her who was trying to engage her in conversation.